After more than 3,000 people signed gay Eagle Scout Derek Nance's Change.org petition urging musical acts Train and Carly Rae Jepsen to denounce the Boy Scouts of America's national ban on gay Scouts and gay Scout leaders, Train issued a statement Friday urging the Boy Scouts of America to end their national ban on gay membership.

Both Train and Carly Rae Jepsen have been tapped to headline the Boy Scouts of America's 2013 National Jamboree. Train, in their statement, said that unless the Boy Scouts of America moves to end their national ban on gay Scouts and gay Scout leaders, they will not perform.

"When we booked this show for the Boy Scouts of America we were not aware of any policy barring openly gay people from participation within the organization," Train said in a statement posted to their website. "Train strongly opposes any kind of policy that questions the equality of any American citizen. We have always seen the BSA as a great and noble organization. We look forward to participating in the Jamboree this summer, as long as they make the right decision before then."

Carly Rae Jepsen has yet to respond to the Change.org petition or requests from GLAAD. So far, more than 3,000 people and counting have signed Derek Nance's petition.

"I'm thrilled that my petition brought the Boy Scouts' hurtful anti-gay policy to Train's attention," said gay Eagle Scout Derek Nance, who launched his petition on Change.org yesterday. "More than 3,000 people are wondering, will Carly Rae Jepsen do the same?"

Journalists interested in speaking with Nance should use the contact information at the top of the page.

Windy City Media Group does not approve or necessarily agree with the views posted below.
Please do not post letters to the editor here. Please also be civil in your dialogue.
If you need to be mean, just know that the longer you stay on this page, the more you help us.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.
All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transegender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.